60 Most Memorable Performances -- the Women

May 27, 2014 2:06 AM

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Harriet Andersson -- amazing in Bergman's THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY. Just as powerful in CRIES AND WHISPERS. Something in the intimacy she had with Bergman allowed her to go to naked emotional depths rarely depicted on screen. less

Harriet Andersson -- amazing in Bergman's THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY. Just as powerful in CRIES AND WHISPERS. Something in the intimacy she had with Bergman allowed her to go to naked emotional depths rarely ... more

Julie Delpy, around the time of BEFORE SUNSET (2004), which was an especially strong showcase for her intelligence and charm. Of course, she's terrific in all three BEFORE movies, but don't miss her in TWO DAYS IN MANHATTAN, which she wrote and directed. less

Julie Delpy, around the time of BEFORE SUNSET (2004), which was an especially strong showcase for her intelligence and charm. Of course, she's terrific in all three BEFORE movies, but don't miss her in TWO ... more

Photo: AFP, AFP/Getty Images

Julie Delpy, around the time of BEFORE SUNSET (2004), which was an... Photo-6327515.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Natalie Portman in THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL. If you give a great performance in a so-so movie, nobody cares. But I care about Portman in THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL. Just watch her play this high-stakes poker game, gamble everything, and start to realize that she's about to lose. less

Natalie Portman in THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL. If you give a great performance in a so-so movie, nobody cares. But I care about Portman in THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL. Just watch her play this high-stakes poker game, ... more

Photo: Sean Gallup, Getty Images

Natalie Portman in THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL. If you give a great... Photo-6327516.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Halle Barry in MONSTER'S BALL -- that breakdown/sex scene was remarkable and earned her the Oscar.

Halle Barry in MONSTER'S BALL -- that breakdown/sex scene was remarkable and earned her the Oscar.

Karin Viard is the Meryl Streep of France, as expert in comedy as in drama, never better than in THE ROLE OF HER LIFE -- but never less than wonderful. See her in LES AMBITIEUX, too. And anything else.

Karin Viard is the Meryl Streep of France, as expert in comedy as in drama, never better than in THE ROLE OF HER LIFE -- but never less than wonderful. See her in LES AMBITIEUX, too. And anything else.

Jennifer Jason Leigh at the premiere of 'Georgia', Samuel Goldwyn Theater, Beverly Hills, 27th November 1995. This is the best of Leigh's 1990s showcases, but several are worth seeing -- SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, MRS. PARKER AND THE VICIOUS CIRCLE and DOLORES CLAIBORNE. less

Jennifer Jason Leigh at the premiere of 'Georgia', Samuel Goldwyn Theater, Beverly Hills, 27th November 1995. This is the best of Leigh's 1990s showcases, but several are worth seeing -- SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, ... more

The great Ann Harding, with Leslie Howard, in a still for THE ANIMAL KINGDOM (1932). If you want to see a great and very modern actress -- someone who paved the way for modern screen actresses -- see Harding in this. Then see her in everything else. less

The great Ann Harding, with Leslie Howard, in a still for THE ANIMAL KINGDOM (1932). If you want to see a great and very modern actress -- someone who paved the way for modern screen actresses -- see Harding ... more

Photo: Ernest Bachrach, Getty Images

The great Ann Harding, with Leslie Howard, in a still for THE... Photo-6327531.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Actress Alison Elliott around the time of her great performance in WINGS OF THE DOVE in 1997.

Actress Alison Elliott around the time of her great performance in WINGS OF THE DOVE in 1997.

Photo: Dave Allocca, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

Actress Alison Elliott around the time of her great performance in... Photo-6327532.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Adele Exarchopoulos gave the single most remarkable performance by an actress in the last few years in BLUE IS TH WARMEST COLOR. And she came out of nowhere to do it. It was her first starring role.

Adele Exarchopoulos gave the single most remarkable performance by an actress in the last few years in BLUE IS TH WARMEST COLOR. And she came out of nowhere to do it. It was her first starring role.

Photo: Valerie Macon, Getty Images

Adele Exarchopoulos gave the single most remarkable performance by... Photo-6327533.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Elizabeth Taylor in the Film 'Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf' directed by Mike Nichols in 1966. Her finest two hours on screen -- a complete departure from her screen image to that point. She was only 34, playing a woman in her early 50s. less

Elizabeth Taylor in the Film 'Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf' directed by Mike Nichols in 1966. Her finest two hours on screen -- a complete departure from her screen image to that point. She was only 34, ... more

Photo: API, Gamma-Rapho Via Getty Images

Elizabeth Taylor in the Film 'Who's Afraid Of Virginia... Photo-6327534.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Viola Davis won the SAG award for THE HELP and really should have gone all the way. A lovely, complicated and thoughtful performance.

Viola Davis won the SAG award for THE HELP and really should have gone all the way. A lovely, complicated and thoughtful performance.

Photo: Kevin Winter, Getty Images

Viola Davis won the SAG award for THE HELP and really should have... Photo-6327535.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Martina Gedeck during 2006 Cannes Film Festival -- strange and heartrending in THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

Martina Gedeck during 2006 Cannes Film Festival -- strange and heartrending in THE LIVES OF OTHERS.

American actress Ruby Dee (R), at a party in honor of the play 'A Raisin In the Sun' March 1959. She went on to make the movie version. The first time you see it, all eyes are on Poitier. But watch Ruby Dee.

American actress Ruby Dee (R), at a party in honor of the play 'A Raisin In the Sun' March 1959. She went on to make the movie version. The first time you see it, all eyes are on Poitier. But watch Ruby Dee.

Photo: Gordon Parks, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

American actress Ruby Dee (R), at a party in honor of the play... Photo-6327537.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Marilyn Monroe in 'Some Like It Hot' directed by Billy Wilder. I saw this movie on TV when I was about four and thought she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

Marilyn Monroe in 'Some Like It Hot' directed by Billy Wilder. I saw this movie on TV when I was about four and thought she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

Director Monta Bell (1891 - 1958) consults with his star Jeanne Eagels (1890 - 1929) during the filming of 'Man, Woman and Sin'. She's unforgettable in that, but it's hard to see. She's at least as remarkable in THE LETTER, a talkie from 1929. less

Director Monta Bell (1891 - 1958) consults with his star Jeanne Eagels (1890 - 1929) during the filming of 'Man, Woman and Sin'. She's unforgettable in that, but it's hard to see. She's at least as remarkable ... more

Miriam Hopkins is seductive, funny, self-knowing and smart in DESIGN FOR LIVING, but she's also unforgettable in DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, THE SMILING LIEUTENANT and THE STORY OF TEMPLE DRAKE. If you don't know her yet, seek her out. She was one of the greats. less

Miriam Hopkins is seductive, funny, self-knowing and smart in DESIGN FOR LIVING, but she's also unforgettable in DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, THE SMILING LIEUTENANT and THE STORY OF TEMPLE DRAKE. If you don't know ... more

Jean Harlow powders in a scene from the film 'Dinner At Eight', 1933. Very beautiful, very warm, free-spirited and extremely funny. Also see her in BOMBSHELL and RED DUST. Then see her in everything else.

Jean Harlow powders in a scene from the film 'Dinner At Eight', 1933. Very beautiful, very warm, free-spirited and extremely funny. Also see her in BOMBSHELL and RED DUST. Then see her in everything else.

Photo: Archive Photos, Getty Images

Jean Harlow powders in a scene from the film 'Dinner At... Photo-6327543.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Amy Ryan was unforgettable as a happy, self-satisfied lowlife in GONE BABY GONE.

Amy Ryan was unforgettable as a happy, self-satisfied lowlife in GONE BABY GONE.

Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi in Venice, for the film festival, in September , 1999, around the time of RIEN A FAIRE (known in the US as EMPTY DAYS). She gives a great a performance as an unemployed working class woman who starts to fall in love with an upper-middle-class guy. They meet because they're both unemployed and making the rounds to the agencies. Tedeschi's sensitivity, her doubt, her tentativeness, her willingness to seem vulgar, her embarrassment, the coarseness of her manner and the refinement of her sentiments . . . all this is unforgettable. less

Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi in Venice, for the film festival, in September , 1999, around the time of RIEN A FAIRE (known in the US as EMPTY DAYS). She gives a great a performance as an unemployed working class ... more

Photo: Eric VANDEVILLE, Gamma-Rapho Via Getty Images

Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi in Venice, for the film festival, in... Photo-6327547.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Greta Garbo in A WOMAN OF AFFAIRS. This is her best silent performance, with one particularly amazing mad scene. But so much of what Garbo did was unforgettable -- QUEEN CHRISTINA, CAMILLE, THE PAINTED VEIL, NINOTCHKA, GRAND HOTEL, THE MYSTERIOUS LADY . . . less

Greta Garbo in A WOMAN OF AFFAIRS. This is her best silent performance, with one particularly amazing mad scene. But so much of what Garbo did was unforgettable -- QUEEN CHRISTINA, CAMILLE, THE PAINTED VEIL, ... more

Greta Garbo in A WOMAN OF AFFAIRS. This is her best silent... Photo-6327548.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Olivia Hussey as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet." You don't see this as a teenager and then go on your merry way. This one is for life.

Olivia Hussey as Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet." You don't see this as a teenager and then go on your merry way. This one is for life.

Isabelle Carre -- versatile and remarkable French actress, unforgettable in ENTRE SES MAINS, as a married woman who falls in love with a serial killer. Also see ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS, a very funny comedy about a shy chocolate maker. less

Isabelle Carre -- versatile and remarkable French actress, unforgettable in ENTRE SES MAINS, as a married woman who falls in love with a serial killer. Also see ROMANTICS ANONYMOUS, a very funny comedy about ... more

Vivien Leigh in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. This is the Leigh performance that stays with me, not that Civil War thing.

Vivien Leigh in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. This is the Leigh performance that stays with me, not that Civil War thing.

Photo: Archive Photos, Getty Images

Vivien Leigh in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. This is the Leigh... Photo-6327551.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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LADY OF THE NIGHT -- Norma Shearer played a dual role in this 1925 romance from the great director Monta Bell. This film, unseen for generations, is now available from the Warner Archive. Don't miss it.

LADY OF THE NIGHT -- Norma Shearer played a dual role in this 1925 romance from the great director Monta Bell. This film, unseen for generations, is now available from the Warner Archive. Don't miss it.

LADY OF THE NIGHT -- Norma Shearer played a dual role in this 1925... Photo-6327552.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Jeanette MacDonald in LOVE ME TONIGHT. And she meant it. MacDonald is one of those actresses damaged by the Production Code. See her in everything made before 1934.

Jeanette MacDonald in LOVE ME TONIGHT. And she meant it. MacDonald is one of those actresses damaged by the Production Code. See her in everything made before 1934.

Nathalie Baye, shown here in 1981, was unforgettable in A WEEK'S VACATION. But the truth is, she's great in so many films -- LE PETIT LIEUTENANT, EVERY OTHER WEEKEND, LA BALANCE, LES SENTIMENTS, CLIENT, PRIX A PAYER . . . less

Nathalie Baye, shown here in 1981, was unforgettable in A WEEK'S VACATION. But the truth is, she's great in so many films -- LE PETIT LIEUTENANT, EVERY OTHER WEEKEND, LA BALANCE, LES SENTIMENTS, CLIENT, PRIX ... more

Maria Falconetti in THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC. If you've seen the film, you know . . . But if you haven't, do see it. It's not austere, or boring. It is not medicine that's hard to get down but good for you. It's riveting cinema. less

Maria Falconetti in THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC. If you've seen the film, you know . . . But if you haven't, do see it. It's not austere, or boring. It is not medicine that's hard to get down but good for ... more

Maria Falconetti in THE PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC. If you've... Photo-6327558.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale in "The Wizard of Oz." But also for A STAR IS BORN.

Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale in "The Wizard of Oz." But also for A STAR IS BORN.

Bette Davis at her best and most Davis-like in ALL ABOUT EVE. Photo-6327560.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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"East-West" by Regis Wargnier with Sandrine Bonnaire, 1999. This is a performance that will take your breath away. After you've seen her in this, see her at 16 in A NOS AMOURS and years later in LA CEREMONIE, MADEMOISELLE, C'EST LA VIE and INTIMATE STRANGERS. One of the greatest living actresses. less

"East-West" by Regis Wargnier with Sandrine Bonnaire, 1999. This is a performance that will take your breath away. After you've seen her in this, see her at 16 in A NOS AMOURS and years later in LA CEREMONIE, ... more

Brigitte Rouan in POST COITAL, ANIMAL TRISTE, which she wrote, directed and starred in -- an unforgettable film about a successful, married woman of 50 who meets a 28-year-old guy and almost loses her mind with lust. The film begins, after the affair is over, with shots of her masturbating -- intercut with scenes of a female cat moaning in heat. That's how the movie BEGINS. The movie is a great mix of outrageous comedy, drama and insight. less

Brigitte Rouan in POST COITAL, ANIMAL TRISTE, which she wrote, directed and starred in -- an unforgettable film about a successful, married woman of 50 who meets a 28-year-old guy and almost loses her mind ... more

Marion Davies in the very funny showbiz comedy SHOW PEOPLE. In this scene, she's disdainful of this "little guy" who keeps coming over to bother her when she's trying to have a conversation. When she finds out a minute later that she just blew off Charlie Chaplin, she almost faints. less

Marion Davies in the very funny showbiz comedy SHOW PEOPLE. In this scene, she's disdainful of this "little guy" who keeps coming over to bother her when she's trying to have a conversation. When she finds ... more

Meg Ryan in IN THE CUT. Isabelle Carre, when she was making ENTRE SES MAINS, studied Meg Ryan's work in this film, for her surface calm and underlying suggestion of perversity. It's a great performance in a near-great movie. less

Meg Ryan in IN THE CUT. Isabelle Carre, when she was making ENTRE SES MAINS, studied Meg Ryan's work in this film, for her surface calm and underlying suggestion of perversity. It's a great performance in a ... more

Photo: HO, REUTERS

Meg Ryan in IN THE CUT. Isabelle Carre, when she was making ENTRE... Photo-6327566.86115 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Monica Vitti, shown here in Venice for the debut of L'ECLISSE, her greatest film with Michelangelo Antonioni. When I think of a certain variety of romantic self-absorption and modern angst, I think of Vitti -- especially in L'ECLISSE, but also in L'AVVENTURA. less

Monica Vitti, shown here in Venice for the debut of L'ECLISSE, her greatest film with Michelangelo Antonioni. When I think of a certain variety of romantic self-absorption and modern angst, I think of Vitti -- ... more

Kate Winslet arrives for the European Premiere of 'Revolutionary Road' at the Odeon Leicester Square on January 18, 2009 in London, England. This is the Winslet role that gives you everything you want from Kate Winslet -- psychological acuity, strength, honesty, rage . . . Also see her in LITTLE CHILDREN. less

Kate Winslet arrives for the European Premiere of 'Revolutionary Road' at the Odeon Leicester Square on January 18, 2009 in London, England. This is the Winslet role that gives you everything you want from Kate ... more